Reviews by Jeffo:

Three bottle set most generously sent by cparles in a recent box. Thanks for these man. They were top class!

From a bomber into a snifterBottled 6 June 2013Drank this first, then the bourbon and apple brandy.

APPEARANCE: Pours out black and yields a two finger, medium looking, loud and fizzy, dark tan head with good retention. Black body with higher levels of carbonation evident for the style. A thick ring with touches of wisp remain until the end of the glass leaving some falling dots of lacing down the glass. These all basically look the same, but this one had a pretty obnoxious head.

SMELL: Lots of tar red wine and grapes, with oak, roasted malts and dark chocolate on the nose. Light cinnamon and chilies are there as well, but the red wine, oak and tart aromas mingle with the dark chocolate really nicely. Bold and more than inviting. Just outstanding.

TASTE: Roasted flavors with red wine tartness and oak up front. Wine, cinnamon and bitter dark chocolate at the finish with a kick of spicy chilies at the swallow as well. A big and lingering aftertaste of tart wine, cinnamon, vanilla sweetness, bitter dark chocolate and a bit of spicy chilies as well. All the adjuncts and barrel flavors are there over a bed of roasted malts. Really great stuff.

PALATE: Medium-full body with medium carbonation evident. The fullest of the three. Creamy on the palate, goes down smooth and finishes slightly mouth-coating. Some chili burn at the swallow and some heat lingers.

OVERALL: Just awesome. The head was a little fizzy, which is unfortunate, but the rest is top notch. All the adjuncts are there, balanced nicely against the slightly tart red wine barrels, and the roasted base beer makes a mark as well. Nice full, creamy body to support it all as well. While I do find the chili heat just a touch too much, that's the only thing keeping this from being the über-worldly beer it otherwise is. This was my favorite of the bunch. Thanks again cparles. World class stuff.

S - Tart beer, slight vinegar. Sweet vanilla and chocolate with a spicy pepper to it. Slight metallic and blood that reminds me of a Flanders

T - Spicy peppers and chocolate. Slight red wine vinegar to it that adds some tartness. Vanilla and caramel adds some sweetness. Lingering heat on the backend

M - Light body with some spice and pepper heat and a dry, tannin presence from the red wine

O - The Red Wine version of Mexican cake reminds me of the slightly tart / sour version of the three. It gives you the base Mexican Cake stout and adds a good amount of tartness and tannins from the Red Wine barrel. I thought this one was good but not as good as Napa BCBS or or the other Mexican Cake version.